Lorry driver died after insecure load caused trailer to overturn on M8

A “fantastic” dad died after the lorry he was driving overturned while he attempted to merge onto the M8.

James Murray was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident on the M8 at Hermiston Gate on August 23, 2022.

A fatal accident inquiry into the 54-year-old’s death found that the load being carried in his HGV had not been secured and did not fill the trailer.

As Mr Murray took a left-hand bend to join the M8, the load shifted towards the offside, causing the trailer and tractor unit to topple onto their offside.

The driver suffered fatal head and chest injuries.

Following his death, his wife Julie paid tribute to the dad-of-two, saying: “It’s so hard to comprehend what has happened and to think we will never see his smile or hear his laughter again.”

Sheriff Nicol ruled that the death could have been avoided if Mr Murray had been given more information on the weight of the load and what he was required to do to ensure it didn’t move in transit.

The inquiry heard that the load was surrounded by a green tyre net, which was insufficient to restrain the type of load within the trailer, and that the trailer was fitted with load-restraining straps, which should have been secured by Mr Murray prior to the vehicle moving off.

Tyre marks at the scene showed that Mr Murray was at the steering wheel and attempting to prevent the vehicle from falling over.

In his recommendations, the sheriff urged Interflex – the consignor of the load – to review their health and safety procedures and identify the hazards in a loading operation.

It was also suggested that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the Health and Safety Executive jointly consider how best to improve compliance by haulage operators, consignors, and drivers in ensuring that a load is secure and remains so in transit.

Sheriff Nicol concluded: “I wish to conclude this determination by offering my heartfelt sympathies to Mr Murray’s family.

“I can only imagine how difficult it has been for them to have to deal with the sudden and tragic death of a loved one and then have to cope with the lengthy process of a Fatal Accident Inquiry.

“I hope that the family feel that the accident has been adequately investigated and that this determination gives them adequate explanations of the issues which led to Mr Murray’s death.”